Knicks don't agree with 37 wins projection

ESPN.com used the SCHOENE system to predict the Knicks would finish 37-45 this season, a 17-game difference from last year's 54-win campaign. Anthony and the Knicks aren't putting any stock in that projection.

"Sometimes there's glitches in the computer," said Anthony, who added he doesn't pay attention to predictions. "That's all I got to say."

The SCHOENE system projects the Knicks will regress in both their offensive and defensive ratings, as it says the Knicks will drop from third to 20th in offense, while going from 16th to 18th in defense.

“Do they play? It’s a computer system. So I don’t think computers run up and down the floor. You still gotta play the game," Knicks coach Mike Woodson said. "I don’t get caught up into that. Bottom line is we take it one game at a time and put our best foot forward and we try to win. That’s what it’s all about.

"I have no control over the computers, I really don’t," he added. "All I can control is our team and how we play, and that’s all I’m going to try to do.”

While the Knicks may not put much faith in the SCHOENE projection, it does represent the common opinion that the Knicks have taken a step back this offseason. Woodson said he would never question whether the Knicks have enough firepower to match up with the conference's best.

The SCHOENE system still forecasts the Knicks would make the playoffs by finishing seventh in the Eastern Conference and second in the division. The Knicks won the division and were second in the conference last year.

“Nobody thought we had enough last year. It was kind of the same error going into last season. I don’t listen to that," Woodson said. "My thing is, you still have to play the games and we have a very competitive team, guys have tasted some success the last two years here winning, and that’s all I’m relying on."

J.R. UPDATE: Woodson said guard J.R. Smith is doing fine after he ran for the second straight day Wednesday. Tuesday marked the first time he ran since undergoing knee surgery.

"I think he’s on pace to play eventually, but we still have to be cautious, and medical has got to release him to have contact," Woodson said.

CONTACT FOR AMAR'E: Woodson is not sure if Amar'e Stoudemire will be cleared for contact upon returning from Thursday's preseason game in Baltimore, but he said the team will reassess the situation Friday. Stoudemire has yet to play during the preseason, and his status for the season opener is in question.

"There’s a chance. And I’m just throwing it out there, but he did work all the way up until contact two days ago, so I have to get him into some contact eventually," Woodson said. "It might not be in the scrimmage, but it could be in our half court, where we bang around a little bit. If I can get him to that point, we’ll gauge it from there."